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Profile: dealing with death

17/05/12
 Changing the way death is viewed in Cyprus is a Herculean task. THEO PANAYIDES meets two brothers whose modern outlook more than makes them up for the job ... 4 comments

A minute with Evanthia Rempoutsika

17/05/12
 Composer, who will give this year’s University of Cyprus lecture in memory of Dinos Leventis on the subject ‘How music gives society a face’ Where do you live?In Athens, Greece with my husband and our two children Best childhood memory? Images from my life growing up and playing inside my father’s cinema named Rex in Ahaia, Patra Absolute favourite dish?French fries with feta What did you have for breakfast?I always enjoy a cup of decaf coffee with hot bread, butter and honey Would you class yourself as a day or night person?Definitely a day person... Read on

From ‘geek’ to god

17/05/12
A nervous teenager discovered his inner star by taking to the stage as Michael Bublι. BEJAY BROWNE meets him A self-confessed teenage geek has found his confidence and a slice of stardom by performing a tribute act to Canadian singer Michael Bublι. Ben Mills, 19 has lived in Peyia for the past two and a half years, after moving to the island with his parents and younger sister.The family had been holidaying on the island for a number of years before making the move and Ben hasn’t looked back since.Originally from Blackpool in the UK, the young singer discovered his talent by accident a few years ago after befriending Chris King, an Elvis tribute act... Read on

Music with a view

17/05/12
The annual Pharos Chamber Music festival will kick off soon promising high quality concerts in some stunning locations says ZOE CHRISTODOULIDESIt’s often been said that music is the food of the soul. But if you’re listening to this music in a venue overlooking the Mediterranean Sea among the historic remains of the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, then surely the melody must take on almost heavenly proportions. The Cyprus weather combined with an environment steeped in history makes for an absolutely brilliant recipe once top quality music is added. And come summer every year, a great number of chamber music aficionados flock to the west coast of our island to take in all that the Pharos Chamber Music Festival has to offer... Read on

Born a thrower

10/05/12
At 84 one Limassol-based potter continues his craft on a daily basis. Having lived much of his life in Baghdad he is feted abroad more so than at home. NAN MACKENZIE meets himValentinos Charalambous has harnessed the art of using earth, air, fire and water to create some of the most powerful, delicate and potent pieces of contemporary pottery. His works are a marvel of imaginative energy, representing as they do, peace, domestication and elegance; although borne out with the beauty of pure simplicity... Read on

A minute with…Demetris Iouliou Co owner of Get Fresh

10/05/12
Where do you live?I live with my wife, and we’re soon to be joined by our first child, probably before this article has run. We’re Nicosia based, near the ‘up n coming’ coffee area of town.  Best childhood memory? Cousins sleeping over, staying up late and watching Bugsy Malone for 100th time on video. And waking the next morning to an ‘Andreas Special’, Andreas being my dad and the special being the fry up he used to cook us on Sunday mornings.  Most frequented restaurant?... Read on

Exercise in heels

10/05/12
Although it has a bit of a sleazy reputation pole dancing is a great workout. ZOE CHRISTODOULIDES tries a class near herThere are many things I’ve thought I’d give a try in life. But I have to admit that pole dancing was never one of them. “Make sure you bring a pair of high heels and shorts,” enthuses teacher Stella Christodoulou over the phone. I coyly ask if leggings might be ok instead. “Oh no, you need to have as much flesh touching the pole as possible!” she exclaims. “You know, so you can get a better grip.” Right then... Read on

Ghosts in the room

10/05/12
 Nicosia in Dark and White is an international award winning photography book unveiling the capital’s old town. NAOMI LEACH meets the local duo behind the projectHow many of us blindly shuffle past the crumbling doorways of abandoned buildings in Nicosia’s old town without ever glancing inside? Beyond the architectural scar tissue, the withered staircases, rotten floors and overgrown roots, traces of these buildings’ former occupants are still all too visible. It’s easy to imagine customers sitting in the discarded chairs of a barber shop, young boys playing with the curled up football stickers, a café owner flicking through a faded calendar which has remained on the same page as the decades rumble on... Read on

Profile: Cypriot film director Elias Demetriou

02/05/12
 It took one local filmmaker eight years to bring his project to fruition. THEO PANAYIDES meets him There’s a popular perception that making films is glamorous, I note to Elias Demetriou as we sit in an outdoor café in Heroes’ Square in Limassol – but it’s not really, is it? He laughs out loud: “No, it’s not at all. It’s not glamorous at all!” He was once at a festival with Stephen Frears, he adds (Frears being the British director who’s worked with everyone from Julia Roberts to Helen Mirren to Michelle Pfeiffer), and put the same question to him. “He asked me, ‘Do you see anything glamorous on me?’,” recalls Elias. “And he was wearing a T-shirt, this very… lousy T-shirt. So no, I don’t think so!” He shrugs: “It’s a job. But it’s a creative job... 3 comments

A minute with Alexia Paraskeva

02/05/12
 Head of Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts at The Senior School in Nicosia and fully trained and active actress, most recently staring in Closer Where do you live?I live alone in my apartment in Nicosia. I used to flat-share with my pug but he visited my parents in Limassol and never came back. Their house, sizeable garden and female dog proved to be too big an attraction for him. I miss him dreadfully but visit him as often as I can. Best childhood memory? Being at the beach with my family and spending hours in the water swimming, preparing for ballet performances and school productions and going on holidays!  ... Read on
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